Injection molding machine

ABSTRACT

An injection molding machine for producing molded parts has a machine table with a base frame on which three supporting elements with a baseplate disposed thereon are arranged. The base plate has a temperature-control element.

The invention relates to an injection molding machine for manufacturingmolded parts in accordance with the precharacterizing portion of claim1.

Such an injection molding machine is known from DE 298 04 085 U1. Itcomprises a base-plate on which a plurality of machine parts aredisposed; i.e. a plasticizing and injection mechanism, a multi-partmolding tool and a mechanism to open, close and turn a mold half of themolding tool. The temperature of the baseplate changes during operation,whereby a movement of material occurs due to which the machine partsdisposed on the baseplate change position. This is disadvantageous sincethe machine parts can thereby no longer be precisely aligned to oneanother, which can further result in functional impairment ormalfunction.

It is the object of the invention to design an injection molding machineof the type cited at the outset such that it has a low temperaturedrift.

In accordance with the invention, this object is accomplished by thebaseplate comprising a temperature control element. The possibilitythereby exists of selectively changing the temperature of the baseplate.Should the temperature of the baseplate drop for example due to externalinfluences, the temperature control element will supply heat to it; i.e.the baseplate will be heated. Should the temperature of the baseplaterise due to external influences, the temperature control element willwithdraw heat from it; i.e. the baseplate will be cooled. Thetemperature control element prevents thermal stress in the baseplate andthe machine parts disposed on same.

Being able to keep the baseplate at a specific temperature prevents athermal-based material movement of the baseplate. A material movement ofthe affixed components and handling devices mounted to the baseplate canadditionally be prevented. Thus, the precisely aligned mounting of theaffixed components relative one another will be maintained duringoperation of the respective mechanism. The baseplate can moreover forexample warm or cool its environment. Thus, a baseplate designed inaccordance with the invention can for example cool the interior of ahousing in which said baseplate is arranged.

The subclaims yield advantageous further developments of the invention.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the baseplate comprises atleast one sensor to detect the plate temperature. The temperature of thebaseplate can thereby be regulated to a constant predetermined value bymeans of a regulating device.

The temperature control element is advantageously formed by channelsthrough which a heat transfer medium can be channeled. The temperaturecontrol element can thereby be of a simple construction. A temperaturecontrol element formed in this way is moreover very effective andsturdy.

The channels advantageously run parallel to the plane of the baseplate.This allows a very effective influencing of the baseplate temperature.For example, specific areas of the baseplate can be subject to greatercooling and/or heating by a specific routing of the channels. This isthen particularly advantageous when certain areas of the baseplate areexposed to greater thermal influences than other areas.

It is very advantageous for the channels to be arranged such that theneutral axis of the channels is consistent with the neutral axis of thebaseplate. To this end, the channels run substantially at the center ofthe plate thickness. This is on the one hand advantageous in terms ofthe baseplate stability and on the other hand allows channels ofgreatest possible cross section to be manufactured.

This is particularly applicable when the channels are formed in boresrealized in the end faces of the baseplate, as a further particularembodiment of the invention provides. This allows a very easy andeconomical manufacturing of the channels.

A further particular embodiment of the invention provides for thechannel inlets/outlets to be connected in part via connecting elements.Doing so thereby allows readily influencing the rate of the heattransfer medium through the channels.

A further particular embodiment of the invention moreover provides for apump, by means of which the heat transfer medium can be intermittentlypumped through the channels. Having the heat transfer medium beingpumped through the channels in intervals achieves the heat transfermedium also flowing through remote areas of the channels. To this end,the pump only needs to be operated in full-load operation during theintervals.

A further particular embodiment of the invention furthermore providesfor the baseplate to have air passage openings. Doing so increases thebaseplate's thermal influencing of the environment of said baseplate. Inother words, the baseplate can better cool or, if needed, warm thebaseplate's environment.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the injection moldingmachine comprises a machine table having a base frame on which threesupporting elements with a baseplate disposed thereon are affixed.

The baseplate is thus affixed to the base frame without tension. Sincethree points of support always span a flat surface, it is no longernecessary to mill off the elements of the frame on which the plate restsso they will span a flat surface. The fact that milling no longer needsto be performed is very advantageous in terms of costs. Moreover, thereis no longer any risk of the milling not being precise enough, whichcould then otherwise lead to the baseplate not being disposed on thebase frame without tension.

The base frame advantageously comprises a lower frame disposed on threefeet. This advantageously achieves likewise arranging the base frame soas to be without tension on an uneven support. When the feet areheight-adjustable, as is the case in a particular embodiment of theinvention, this allows the horizontal disposing of the lower frame, or abaseplate arranged on the lower frame respectively.

The feet preferably comprise rubber mount elements. This therebyachieves being able to easily isolate the baseplate from vibrationsintroduced into the ground surface due to e.g. harsh environmentalconditions.

In a further particular embodiment of the invention, the base framecomprises an upper frame which is connected to the lower frame by meansof supports. This thereby allows the base-plate to be disposed at agreater distance from the ground surface.

The supporting elements are advantageously affixed to the upper frame.This thereby allows the baseplate to be directly affixed to thesupporting elements.

To affix the baseplate to the supporting elements, the latteradvantageously have a conical recess in which a hemisphericallyconfigured support engages. This thereby achieves the baseplate beingable to be flatly connected to the support which thereby preventstension from developing when e.g. screwing the baseplate onto thesupporting elements, which could lead to warping of the baseplate.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the injection moldingmachine comprises an injection station on the baseplate in which meltcan be introduced into the cavity of a molding tool which corresponds tothe molded part and has at least one first mold part and one second moldpart and is able to be brought into an open and closed position, whereinthe first mold part has at least one runner and the cavity is at leastpartially arranged in the second mold part; arranged on the baseplate isa cooling station as well as a separating station to separate and removethe sprue; an ejection station to eject the molded part and a transportdevice arranged on the baseplate which comprises at least one transportroute connecting the stations on which the second mold part can betransported from one station to another station with a molded part inthe cavity where applicable; the first mold part being arrangedstationary on a machine nozzle and the second mold part being movedalong the transport route separate from the first mold part; the firstmold part exhibiting a heat-dissipating area made from a material whichis of good thermal conductivity; and the heat-dissipating area beingable to be brought into thermal contact with a cooling area of thecooling station such that the cooling area is distanced from the moldedpart. It is thereby advantageously possible to open the mold after theinjection molding process is finished but yet prior to the completesolidification of the melt and then only transport the second mold parttogether with the molded part situated therein to the cooling station.At the cooling station, the heat-dissipating area of the second moldpart is brought into thermal contact with the cooling area of thecooling station in order to cool the second mold part and the moldedpart situated therein. Since the molded part is still relatively softand malleable at the start of the cooling procedure, direct contactbetween the cooling station, the cooling area respectively, and themolded part is prevented. The first mold part remains on the machinenozzle and is not cooled. The injection molding machine according to theinvention enables rapidly cooling the molded part so that it canthereafter be removed from the second mold part. Since only the secondmold part of the mold is cooled, the injection molding machine enablesenergy-saving operation. The injection molding machine moreover savesspace.

Because the transport device comprises a transport route connecting thestations on which the molded part can be moved from one station toanother station, a plurality of molded parts can be transported at thesame time. Thus, for example, one molded part can be transported fromthe injection station to a cooling station and one molded part can betransported from the cooling station to a demolding station at the sametime. By the baseplate having a temperature-control element, the movingsecond mold part can thereby be exactly positioned at the individualstations.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the cooling area exhibitsa cooling element able to be moved toward and away from theheat-dissipating area which can be brought into thermal contact with theheat-dissipating area to directly cool the second mold part. The coolingelement can thereby be in planarly contact with the heat-dissipatingarea so that the second mold part with the molded part situated thereincan be accordingly cooled rapidly. The cooling element is preferablydesigned as a cooling plate.

It is advantageous to dispose a heating station as a further station onthe transport route. The heating station is thereby arranged after thecooling station in the transport direction such that the second moldpart can be preheated before being positioned at the injection station.Warming the second mold part has the advantage of the melt injected intothe cavity only cooling very slowly during the injection procedure. Thisthereby allows the manufacturing of very delicate and intricate moldedparts. Because the slower the melt cools during the injection molding,the better the molded part can be molded. In the further stationdesigned as a heating station, the relevant tool, the relevant secondmold part respectively, can be heated in two stages by means ofinduction. To this end, the mold part only need be arranged in front ofthe inductor and the induction started. Additional elements areessentially no longer necessary. Because the mold part is warmed in twostages, it can be preheated in the first stage and heated to its desiredfinal temperature in the second stage. Heating the mold parts to theirfinal temperature can thus occur within a considerably shortened cycletime.

It is expedient to actively cool the cooling element. The second toolpart can thereby be cooled faster. In addition, the cooling element canbe of correspondingly compact size.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the cooling elementcomprises at least one coolant channel through which a cooling fluid canflow. Water is thereby preferably used as the cooling fluid. The moldhalf can thereby advantageously be cooled by a water-cooled aluminumplate being pressed against the surface of the mold half by means of apneumatic cylinder, which thereby produces contact cooling.

In one apt design of the invention, the cooling element can be movedtoward and away from the mold part transverse to the latter's directionof transport. The injection molding machine thereby enables a simplestructuring.

The injection molding machine advantageously comprises a pressingmechanism by means of which the cooling element can be pressed planarlyagainst the second mold part. Heat can thereby be conveyed even fasterfrom the second mold part to the cooling area of the cooling station.

In another advantageous design of the invention, the cooling stationcomprises at least one gas outlet in the cooling area from which acooling gas can flow directly onto the heat-dissipating area. Theheat-dissipating area can thereby be cooled without contacting thecooling station. To prevent deformation of the molded part, the gasoutlets are designed so as to prevent cooling gas from blowing directlyonto the molded part.

When the transport route forms a closed loop, as a particular embodimentof the invention provides, then the mold-tool preheated in the heatingstation can moreover be re-transported back to the injection stationagain. Simultaneously transporting the tool between the stationsconsiderably reduces the cycle time of the injection molding machine. Itis only limited by the longest dwell time the tool spends in a station.

The transport route advantageously comprises linear conveyors which areconnected together at 90 degree rotation at their ends. The connectionof the linear conveyors at their ends is advantageously realized byrotary actuators. Instead of linear conveyors, the transport route couldalso be formed as a conveyor belt extending through the processingstations, or running along the processing stations respectively. Becausethe transport route consists of linear conveyors which form a closedloop, the essential parts of the injection molding machine can bearranged within the transport route. This is very advantageous in termsof the space required for the injection molding machine.

The inventive injection molding machine allows the manufacturing of amolded part as follows: A molding tool situated in the injection stationis closed. Melt is then injected into the cavity of the molding tool.The molding tool is then subsequently opened. The actual injectionmolding process is thereby finished.

At the same time as the injection molding process, in the coolingstation which is disposed outside of the injection station a molded partrespectively the corresponding second mold part, can be cooled. Likewisesimultaneous to the injection molding process, a molded part situated ina station also disposed outside of the injection station can be ejectedfrom the sprue and the sprue expelled. In addition simultaneous to theinjection molding process, a molded part situated in a station alsodisposed outside of the injection station can be ejected from the moldpart arranged in the respective station. Lastly, a mold part situated ina heating station can be heated at the same time as the injectionmolding process.

After the injection molding process is finished, the molded part, or thesecond mold part in which the molded part is situated respectively, canbe transported from the injection station to the cooling station in thecourse of a transport step. The mold part situated in the coolingstation can be transported from the cooling station to the station atwhich the molded part is extracted from the sprue during the course ofthe transport step. Moreover, the second mold part situated in thestation in which the molded part is extracted from the sprue can at thesame time during the course of the transport step be transported fromthat station to the station in which the molded part is ejected from thesecond mold part. In addition, the mold part situated in the station inwhich the molded part is expelled can at the same time during the courseof the transport step be transported from that station to the heatingstation. Lastly, the mold part situated in the heating station can betransported from the heating station to the injection station during thecourse of the transport step.

During the transport step, all respective second mold parts can thus besimultaneously transported from one station to the next station.Therefore, not only can the different sub-processes realized inmanufacturing a molded part take place substantially simultaneously withthe inventive injection molding machine but also the transporting of themolded part to the various processing stations as well. This is veryadvantageous in terms of the injection molding machine's cycle time.

Because a cooling station is provided, the time required for the moldedpart to cool down enough to be demolded is greatly reduced. Thisparticularly becomes apparent when the molded part and/or the sprue isof voluminous design.

A further specific embodiment of the invention provides for theinjection station to comprise a centering element to center the secondmold part introduced into the injection station. Doing so advantageouslyachieves the transport device not needing to position the second moldpart with absolute precise positioning. The transport device can thus beof correspondingly simple and thus economical construction.

Further details, features and advantages of the present invention willyield from the following description of a specific embodiment makingreference to the drawings, which show:

FIG. 1 a schematic plan view depiction of an injection molding machineaccording to the invention,

FIG. 2 an enlarged detail of the centering function of the injectionstation from FIG. 1 in a first state reflecting the view represented byarrow X,

FIG. 3 the enlarged detail depicted in FIG. 2 in a second statereflecting the view represented by the arrow X,

FIG. 4 a sectional view along the A-A lines of intersection in FIG. 3reflecting the view represented by arrow Y,

FIG. 5 the respective elements of the transport device of the injectionmolding machine depicted in FIG. 1 reflecting the view represented bythe arrow X,

FIG. 6 a perspective view of the baseplate of the injection moldingmachine,

FIG. 7 a sectional plan view of the baseplate depicted in FIG. 6 withschematically arranged operating elements,

FIG. 8 a perspective view of the machine table of the injection moldingmachine from above,

FIG. 9 a perspective view of the base frame of the machine tabledepicted in FIG. 8 from above,

FIG. 10 a perspective view of the machine table depicted in FIG. 8 frombelow,

FIG. 11 a side sectional view of the machine table depicted in FIG. 8along the A-A lines of intersection from FIG. 8, and

FIG. 12 the X detail from FIG. 11.

As can be noted from FIG. 1, a molding tool is disposed in an injectionstation 1 of an injection molding machine 100 which comprises astationary first mold part 28 connected to a machine nozzle 29 and anmoveable second mold part 6. The mold parts 6, 28 are designed asrespective mold halves. They can be moved toward and away from oneanother and can be brought into an open position as depicted in FIG. 1as well as a closed position.

The moveable second mold part 6 exhibits a recess in which a mold cavity6 a comprising a cavity 7 b is disposed. The second mold part 6 isadjusted by means of a ball screw spindle 13 powered by a drive 12. Theball screw spindle 13 displaces a pressure plate 15 which is connectedto a movable mold clamping plate 14 via thrust pin 18. A slide rail 8 aon which the second mold part 6 is arranged to be laterally movable isdisposed on the movable mold clamping plate 14 on the opposite side fromthe thrust pin 18.

The first non-moveable mold part 28 is disposed on a likewisenon-moveable mold clamping plate 26 opposite the second mold part 6. Thenon-moveable first mold part 28 comprises a runner 27 into the center ofwhich the machine nozzle 29 can introduce melt.

When the ball screw spindle 13 presses the second mold part 6 againstthe first mold part 28, the cavity 7 b formed in mold cavity 6 a isclosed. The melt flowing through runner 27 can then fill the entirespace of cavity 7 b under pressure.

A first pivotable slide rail 8 b is disposed to the right next to thefirst slide rail 8 a in FIG. 1, same being pivotable by 90 degrees aboutan axis 8 c′ by means of a rotary actuator 8 c. This allows the firstpivotable slide rail 8 b to be brought from the position depicted inFIG. 1, in which it is aligned with the first slide rail 8 a, into aposition in which it is aligned with a second slide rail 9 a arranged atan approximate 90 degree angle to the first slide rail 8 a. A secondmold part 6 disposed on the first slide rail 8 a can thus be transportedby first moving on the first pivotable slide rail 8 b and, subsequentpivoting of the first pivotable slide rail 8 b, on the second slide rail9 a.

A further station designed as a cooling station 2 is disposed on thesecond slide rail 9 a. The cooling station 2 comprises a water-cooledaluminum plate 2 a which can be pressed by a pneumatic cylinder 2 bagainst a second mold part 6 situated in the cooling station 2. Thecontact cooling thereby produced cools the moveable second mold part 6and in particular the molded part 7 together with sprue 7 a situated insaid second mold part 6.

A second pivotable slide rail 9 b is disposed underneath second sliderail 9 a in FIG. 1, same being pivotable by 90 degrees about an axis 9c′ by means of a rotary actuator 9 c. This allows the second pivotableslide rail 9 b to be brought from the position depicted in FIG. 1, inwhich it is aligned with the second slide rail 9 a, into a position inwhich it is aligned with a third slide rail 10 a arranged at anapproximate 90 degree angle to the second slide rail 9 a. A second moldpart 6 disposed on the second slide rail 9 a can thus be transported byfirst moving on the second pivotable slide rail 9 b and, subsequentpivoting of the second pivotable slide rail 9 b, on the third slide rail10 a.

A further station 3 designed as a separating station 3 is disposed onthe second pivotable slide rail 9 b in which the sprue 7 a of the moldedpart 7 is separated from the latter and expelled. The expelling occursby means of a tappet 3 a displaced by a pneumatic cylinder 3 b.

As can moreover be noted from FIG. 1, a fourth slide rail 11 a isdisposed to the left of the third slide rail 10 a and extends at anapproximate 90 degrees angle to the third slide rail 10 a. A thirdpivotable slide rail 10 b is disposed at the lower end of the fourthslide rail 11 a in FIG. 1, same being pivotable by 90 degrees about anaxis 10 c′ by means of a rotary actuator 10 c. This allows the thirdpivotable slide rail 10 b to be brought from the position depicted inFIG. 1, in which it is aligned with the fourth slide rail 11 a, into aposition in which it is aligned with the third slide rail 10 a. A secondmold part 6 disposed on the third slide rail 10 a can thus betransported by first moving on the third pivotable slide rail 10 b and,subsequent pivoting of the third pivotable slide rail 10 b, on thefourth slide rail 11 a.

An ejection station 4 is disposed on the third pivotable slide rail 10 bas a further station in which a molded part 7 still situated in thecavity 7 b of a mold part 6 located in station 4 can be expelled fromthe cavity 7 b. The expelling occurs by means of a tappet 4 a displacedby a pneumatic cylinder 4 b.

A further station designed as a heating station 5 is disposed on thefourth slide rail 11 a. The heating station 5 comprises an inductor bymeans of which a second mold part 6 situated in a first part 5 a of theheating station 5 can be preheated to a first temperature. In a secondpart 5 b of the heating station 5, a second mold part 6 situated in thesecond part 5 b of the heating station 5 is heated to its desired finaltemperature.

A fourth pivotable slide rail 11 b is disposed above the fourth sliderail 11 a in FIG. 1, same being pivotable by 90 degrees about an axis 11c′ by means of a rotary actuator 11 c. This allows the fourth pivotableslide rail 11 b to be brought from the position depicted in FIG. 1, inwhich it is aligned with the fourth slide rail 11 a, into a position inwhich it is aligned with the first slide rail 8 a arranged at anapproximate 90 degree angle to the fourth slide rail 11 a. A second moldpart 6 disposed on the fourth slide rail 11 a can thus be transported byfirst moving on the fourth pivotable slide rail 11 b and, subsequentpivoting of the fourth pivotable slide rail 11 b, on the first sliderail 8 a.

The respective second mold part 6 can be transported into the injectionstation 1 on the first slide rail 8 a. When the second mold part 6reaches its position in the injection station 1, a centering pin 21arranged in an opening 21 a of the second mold part 6 is drawn into anopening 21 a formed in the slide rail 8 a. This thereby ensures that thesecond mold part 6 is in a required exact position in the injectionstation 1 for performing the injection molding process. The centeringpin 21 is arranged on a second ball screw spindle 19 which is driven bya ball bearing drive 16. The second ball screw spindle 19 is supportedin the movable mold clamping plate 14 by means of a bearing 17. Thestructure of the centering mechanism is depicted more clearly in FIGS. 2and 3.

As can be noted from FIG. 2, the centering pin 21 is arranged in theopening 21 a of the second mold part 6 in which a tappet to eject themolded part is usually disposed. The centering pin 21 exhibits aT-groove-shaped recess 20 a in which a corresponding T-shaped head 20 ofthe ball screw spindle 19 is disposed. The ball screw spindle 19 isarranged such that the head 20 enters the T-groove-shaped recess 20 a ofthe centering pin 21 upon the second mold part 6 being moved.

The centering pin 21 further comprises a recess formed on its peripheryin which a ball 22 engages. This thereby holds the centering pin 21 inits position when the second mold part 6 is not on a slide rail. Ball 22is pressed into the recess by the force generated by a spring 22 a.

To facilitate the introducing of the centering pin 21 into the opening21 of the first slide rail 8 a, the centering pin 21 comprisescorresponding chamfers at its end facing opening 21 b.

In FIG. 3, the centering pin 21 is partially disposed in opening 21 b.The second mold part 6 is thereby in an accurate position. In all otherrespects, FIG. 3 corresponds to FIG. 2. For this reason, the referencenumerals have been omitted.

Guide elements 23 are arranged on the first slide rail 8 a which engagein correspondingly formed guide grooves of the second mold part 6. Thefirst slide rail 8 a furthermore comprises a bearing groove 24 a, thewalls of which are abutted by consecutively arranged rollers 24, 25affixed to the second mold part 6. The rollers 24, 25 support the secondmold part 6 in the first slide rail 8 a.

As can particularly be noted from FIG. 4, to improve the bearing, theroller 25 arranged between two outer rollers 24 are affixed to a slider25 a which is subjected to the force of two springs 25 b. The springaction is such that the center roller 25 is pressed to the upper wall ofthe groove 24 a and the outer rollers 24 are pressed against the lowerwall of the groove 24 a.

The remaining slide rails 8 b, 9 a, 9 b, 10 a, 10 b, 11 a, 11 b havesubstantially the same structure such that a detailed description ofthese slide rails can be dispensed with.

The lateral displacing of the second mold part 6 ensues by means ofrodless pneumatic cylinders 8, 9, 10, 11, wherein the first pneumaticcylinder 8 effects the transport of the second mold parts 6 arranged onthe first slide rail 8 a, the second pneumatic cylinder 9 effects thetransport of the second mold parts 6 arranged on the second slide rail 9a, the third pneumatic cylinder 10 effects the transport of the secondmold parts 6 arranged on the third slide rail 10 a, and the fourthpneumatic cylinder 11 effects the transport of the second mold parts 6arranged on the fourth slide rail 11 a. The lateral displacing functionwill be described using the example of the arrangement of the secondpneumatic cylinder 9 and the second slide rail 9 a depicted in FIG. 5.

As can be noted from FIG. 5, a short-stroke cylinder 9 e is arranged onthe actuator of the second pneumatic cylinder 9, the plunger of which isconnected to a rail 9 d. The rail 9 d exhibits recesses in which theprotrusions 6 b disposed on the second mold part 6 engage. When theprotrusions 6 b are situated in the recesses of the rail 9 d, therespective second mold parts 6 are laterally displaceable by means ofthe rodless second pneumatic cylinder 9.

In the position depicted in FIG. 5, the second mold part 6 disposed onthe left in FIG. 5 is situated in station 3 in which the sprue 7 a isexpelled and the second mold part 6 depicted on the right in FIG. 5 isin the cooling station 2. Stations 2 and 3 are not depicted for reasonsof clarity.

As the second mold parts 6 are situated in stations 2 and 3, theshort-stroke cylinder 9 e can preferably be actuated during the time theprocesses are being performed in stations 2 and 3 such that rail 9 d islowered, whereby the protrusions 6 b of the second mold part 6 are nolonger engaged with the rail 9 d. The second pneumatic cylinder 9 isthereupon actuated such that the short-stroke cylinder 9 e, and thusrail 9 d, are moved to the right.

Prior or simultaneous to the second pneumatic cylinder 9 being actuated,the first pivotable slide rail 8 b is actuated such that it is alignedwith the second slide rail 9 a. In so doing, a second mold part 6situated on the first pivotable slide rail 8 b comes into a position inwhich the recess of the rail 9 d to the right in FIG. 5 is below theprotrusion 6 b of the respective second mold part 6. The left recess ofthe rail 9 d in FIG. 5 is then situated below the protrusion 6 b of thesecond mold part 6 situated in the cooling station 2.

Actuating the short-stroke cylinder 9 e moves rail 9 d upward so thatthe protrusions 6 b of the two respective second mold parts 6 enter therecesses of the rail 9 d.

After the sprue 7 a in station 3 has been expelled, the second pivotableslide rail 9 d is pivoted such that it is aligned with the third sliderail 10 a. If this is the case, the second mold part 6 situated on thesecond pivotable slide rail 9 b is pushed from the second pivotableslide rail 9 b to the third slide rail 10 a and the second pivotableslide rail 9 b pivots back into its initial position.

After this being the case and the relevant second mold part 6 beingcooled in the cooling station 2, the second pneumatic cylinder 9 isactuated such that the second mold part 6 situated in the coolingstation 2 is shifted into station 3 in which the sprue 7 a is expelledas well as the second mold part 6 situated on the first pivotable sliderail 8 b being shifted into the cooling station 2. The operations to beperformed in stations 2 and 3 as well as the above-described process arethereupon repeated.

The above-described transport also occurs in virtually identical mannerwith the first slide rail 8 a and the fourth slide rail 11 a. Thetransport of the second mold part 6 on the third slide rail 10 a onlydiffers from the above-described transport in that only one second moldpart 6 is transported in each case. Meaning that an elementcorresponding to rail 9 d is not needed in the transport of the secondmold part 6 on the third slide rail 10. After being correspondinglyshifted, the actuator 10 e of the third pneumatic cylinder 10 is indirect operative connection with the protrusion 6 b of the relevantsecond mold part 6. A second mold part 6 disposed on the secondpivotable slide rail 9 b can thereby be moved over the third slide rail9 a directly to the third pivotable slide rail 10 b by actuation of thethird pneumatic cylinder 10.

The arrangement of the slide rails 8 a, 8 b, 9 a, 9 b, 10 a, 10 b, 11 a,11 b depicted in FIG. 1 forms a closed loop in which the second moldpart 6 can be continuously transported. It is hereby very advantageousfor the essential components of the injection molding machine 100, suchas for example the clamping unit, to be able to be arranged within theclosed loop. Doing so achieves a very compact structure only needinglittle space.

The injection molding machine 100 comprises the baseplate 101schematically depicted in FIG. 6 on which the injection station 1, thecooling station 2, the separating station 3, the ejection station 4 andthe transport device with transport routes 8 a, 8 b, 9 a, 9 b, 10 a, 10b, 11 a, 11 b are arranged. As can be noted from FIGS. 6 and 7, thebaseplate 101 exhibits channels 102 which run parallel to the plane ofthe baseplate 101. The channels 102 are designed as bores 102 b drilledinto the end faces 101 b of the baseplate 101. The bores 102 b aredisposed at the center of the plate's thickness. Their neutral axesthereby follow a course consistent with the neutral axis of thebaseplate 101.

The baseplate 101 further comprises openings 108 through which air canflow. The air passage openings 108 can serve to fix machine elements tobe arranged on the baseplate 101. The baseplate 101 also furthercomprises cut-outs 109 for positioning machine elements.

As can be noted from FIG. 7, the inlets/outlets of channels 102 aresealed in part by means of blind plugs 105. The inlets/outlets ofchannels 102 are moreover partly connected together by means ofconnecting elements 104. The connecting elements 104 can be conventionaltubes comprising screw caps on their ends by means of which the tubescan be screwed into the openings of the bores 102 b. The blind plugs 105as well as the connecting elements 104 are connected to the bores 102 bin standard fashion such a more detailed description thereof can bedispensed with.

Two of the openings 102 b of the channels 102 disposed on the left inFIG. 7 are connected to a pump 106. The pump 106 pumps a coolant intothe respective channels 102. The pump 106 draws the coolant from a heatexchanger 107 which for its part is connected to two of the openings 102b of the channels 102 disposed on the right in FIG. 7. The heatexchanger 107 allows the heating or cooling of the heat transfer mediumto a predetermined temperature.

The controller 106 a of the pump 106 is connected to a temperaturesensor 103 arranged at plate 101. According to the plate temperaturedetermined by the temperature sensor 103, the controller 106 a triggersthe pump 106 to pump heat transfer medium into the channels 102 atmaximum output at more or less long intervals.

As can particularly be noted from FIG. 8, the baseplate 101 is arrangedon a base frame 110 which together with the baseplate 101 forms amachine table. The base frame 110 consists of a lower frame 110 a and anupper frame 110 b which are welded together of square-end box spars. Theupper frame 110 b is connected to the lower frame 110 a via supports111, 112, 113, 114 which likewise consist of square-end box spars.

As can particularly be noted from FIG. 9, supporting elements 115, 116,117 comprised of metal blocks are affixed (preferably welded) to theupper frame 110 b, on top of which the baseplate 101 rests. Screws 115a, 116 a, 117 a extend through the supporting elements 115, 116, 117, bymeans of which the baseplate 101 can be screwed to the supportingelements 115, 116, 117. This is particularly discernible from FIGS. 10.

The lower frame 110 a exhibits machine feet 118, 119, 120 comprisingrubber mount elements 118 a, 119 a, 120 a. The lower frame 110 a, andthus the entire machine table as a whole, is thereby cushioned againstvibrations.

As can particularly be noted from FIGS. 10 and 11, disks 121 arearranged on the supporting elements 115, 116, 117, same comprising abore through which the screws 115 a, 116 a, 117 a extend. The bores arecountersunk on their side facing the baseplate 101 so as to form aconical recess. A hemispherical element 122 having a flat side on itsside facing away from the recess engages into the conical recess. Therecess and the element 122 form a conic joint such that the baseplate101 always has a flat support. This achieves not warping the baseplate101 when it's screwed to the supporting elements 115, 116, 117.

A combination consisting of one of the disks 121 and the element 122 isalso arranged between the head of the screws 115 a, 116 a, 117 a and thesupporting elements 115, 116, 117. This is particularly discernible fromFIG. 11.

The baseplate 101 further comprises recesses as well as threaded holeswhich serve in the arranging, respectively affixing, of machineelements.

1-26. (canceled)
 27. An injection molding machine for manufacturingmolded parts, comprising: a machine table having a base frame, threesupporting elements disposed on said base frame and a baseplate disposedon said supporting elements; an injection station disposed on saidbaseplate, said injection station being configured to introduce meltinto a mold cavity of a molding tool corresponding to the molded part;at least one first mold part and one second mold part which can bebrought into an open and closed position, said first mold part having atleast one runner and the cavity being formed at least partially in saidsecond mold part, said first mold part being disposed on a machinenozzle and said second mold part being movable separately from saidfirst mold part; a cooling station disposed on said baseplate separatefrom said injection station; an optional separating station forseparating and removing sprue; an ejection station for ejecting themolded part disposed on said baseplate separate from said injectionstation; a transport device disposed on said baseplate and formed of atleast one transport route connecting said stations and configured totransport said second mold part along said transport route andseparately from said first mold part from one of said stations toanother one of said stations with a molded part in said cavity whereapplicable.
 28. The injection molding machine according to claim 27,wherein said second mold part is formed with a heat-dissipating areamade from a material of good thermal conductivity and saidheat-dissipating area is able to be brought into thermal contact with acooling area of said cooling station with said cooling area beingdistanced from the molded part.
 29. The injection molding machineaccording to claim 29, wherein said cooling area comprises a coolingelement disposed to be moved toward and away from said heat-dissipatingarea transversely to a transport direction of said second mold part andto be brought into thermal contact with said heat-dissipating area todirectly cool said second mold part.
 30. The injection molding machineaccording to claim 29, wherein said cooling element is an activelycooled element.
 31. The injection molding machine according to claim 30,wherein said cooling element is formed with at least one coolant channelthrough which a cooling fluid can flow.
 32. The injection moldingmachine according to claim 29, which comprises a pressing mechanismconfigured to press said cooling element planarly against said secondmold part.
 33. The injection molding machine according to claim 27,wherein said cooling station comprises at least one gas outlet in acooling area thereof from which a cooling gas can flow directly ontosaid heat-dissipating area.
 34. The injection molding machine accordingto claim 27, which comprises a heating station disposed as a furtherstation along said transport route.
 35. The injection molding machineaccording to claim 27, wherein said transport route forms a closed loop.36. The injection molding machine according to claim 27, wherein saidtransport route is formed by linear conveyors disposed at asubstantially 90 degree angle relative to one another and connected atends thereof by rotary actuators.
 37. The injection molding machineaccording to claim 27, wherein said baseplate comprises a temperaturecontrol element.
 38. The injection molding machine according to claim37, wherein said baseplate is formed with air passage openings.
 39. Theinjection molding machine according to claim 37, which comprises atleast one sensor configured to detect a baseplate temperature.
 40. Theinjection molding machine according to claim 37, wherein saidtemperature control element is formed by channels for conducting a heattransfer medium therethrough.
 41. The injection molding machineaccording to claim 40, wherein channels run parallel to a plane of saidbaseplate, said channels have a neutral axis consistent with a neutralaxis of said baseplate, and said channels are formed with bores in endfaces of said baseplate, wherein inlets/outlets of said channels arepartially connected together by way of connecting elements.
 42. Theinjection molding machine according to claim 40, which comprises a pumpconfigured to pump the heat transfer medium intermittently through saidchannels.
 43. The injection molding machine according to claim 27,wherein said base frame includes a lower frame disposed on threeheight-adjustable feet.
 44. The injection molding machine according toclaim 43, wherein said base frame comprises an upper frame connected tosaid lower frame by way of supports.
 45. The injection molding machineaccording to claim 44, wherein said supporting elements are affixed tosaid upper frame and said supporting elements are formed with a conicalrecess in which a hemispherical support engages.
 46. An apparatus forthe manufacture of injection molded parts, the apparatus comprising: amachine table having a base frame with three supporting elements, and abaseplate disposed on said supporting elements; a mold part disposed ata machine nozzle and a plurality of moveable mold parts, wherein saidmold parts are transportable independently from other said mold parts; aplurality of elements disposed at said baseplate of said machine table,as follows: an injection molding station for charging melt into a cavityof a mold corresponding to the injection molded part; an ejectionstation remote from said injection station for receiving the movablemold parts and ejecting the molded parts; at least one further stationwherein the injection molded parts or said mold parts are processed; atleast one transport route for guiding said mold parts and fortransporting said mold parts from one station to another station; andindependently movable rails configured to engage said mold parts and formoving said mold parts.